娶

Derived from 取 (to take, seize).

Composed of 女 (woman) + 取 (to take).

Functions as both 形聲 (phono-semantic compound) with 取 as the phonetic and as 會意 (compound ideograph): “to take (取) a woman (女),” i.e. to marry a wife.

娶妻 (취처) — to take a wife, to marry

再娶 (재취) — to remarry (for a man)

聘娶 (빙취) — to marry by formal engagement and rites

娶親 (취친) — a marriage alliance by taking a wife

In traditional Confucian family structure, a distinction existed between:

娶 (취) — marriage from the male’s perspective, “to take a wife.”

嫁 (가) — marriage from the female’s perspective, “to marry out (to another family).”

This dichotomy highlights the patrilineal order: the woman leaves her natal clan (出嫁) while the man brings her into his family (娶妻).

Figuratively, the 取 element emphasizes the act of taking or receiving a spouse, contrasting with 嫁, which emphasizes departure and transfer.